Flask manipulating and mold forming method



June 25, 1963 L. L. JOHNSTON 3, ,7

FLASK MANIPULATING AND MOLD FORMING METHOD Filed June 19. 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Fla! I INVENTOR LOYAL L. JOHNSTON June 25, 1963 FLASKFiled June 19, 1961 FIG. 3

L. L. JOHNSTON MANIPULATING AND MOLD FORMING METHOD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2United States Patent 3,094,750 FLASK MANIPULATING AND MOLD FORMINGMETHOD Loyal L. Johnston, Zelienople, Pa., assignor to Herman PneumaticMachine Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania:Filed-June19, 11961, Ser. No. 117,999 2 Claims. (Cl. 22--193) Thisinvention relatesto a flask manipulating and mold forming method. Itrelates more particularly to a method of flask manipulation and moldformation especially adapted for the format-ion of foundry molds andparticularly foundry molds of compacted finely divided mold formingmaterial for the centrifugal casting of elongated hollow articles suchas pipe.

In my copending applications Serial Nos. 118,001 and 118,002, filed ofeven date herewith, I have disclosed certain-methods of and apparatusfor forming foundry molds adapted for the centrifugal casting ofelongated hollow articles. More particularly, as they relate to thepresent invention, those'applications disclose a method of form- .ing afoundry mold comprising introducing finely divided mold forming materialinto an elongated flask and with theflask positioned with itslongitudinal dimension generally vertical moving a former upwardlythrough the -mold forming material in the flask and thereby forming inthe mold forming material an elongated cavity longitudinally of theflask and compacting the mold forming material to form a mold forcasting. That method has :important advantages, primarily in economy inrelation to methods such as that disclosed in my Patents Nos. 2,249,900and 2,559,161.

I have found that to obtain optimum results in practicing the methodsdisclosed in my said copending applications it is important to insurerapid and accurate positioning of the flasks relatively to the formersand to expeditiously manipulate the flasks so as to avoid lost timebetween forming operations. The flasks are large and heavy and it is notfeasible in eflioient operation to attempt to handle or manipulate theflasks by hand or .by conventional means such as an overhead crane. Iprovide for receiving the flasks either singly or in groups when theflasks are oriented with their longitudinal dimensions disposedgenerally horizontally, turning the flasks to a position inwhichtheiongitudinal dimension of each flask is generally vertical andthe flask is disl posed generally above a'former and accuratelyposition- .ing the flasks relatively to the formers and clamping theflasks in place for the mold forming operation. After completion of themold forming operation the flasks are returned to theiroriglnal positionwith their longitudinal .dimensions generally horizontal andare'quickl-y moved away to make-room for other flasks for repetition ofthe cycle. The flaskswill normally be ofgenerally cylindrical shape andwhen they are of that shape ,lpreferably roll them to and from the moldforming station. -When -a plurality of flasks are handled in a group Iprovide for insuring proper spacing between the flasks as theyare turnedinto position with their longitudinal dimensions generally verticalabove the formers.

I provide a flask manipulating and mold forming method comprisingdisposing an-elongated flask with its longitudinal dimension generallyupright and generally-above an upwardly movable former, shifting theflask slightly transversely of its longitudinal dimension topredeterv.minedly alignit with the former, introducing finely divvidedmold. forming material into ,the flask and moving the former upwardlythrough the -rnold forming material in ,the flask and thereby forming inthemold forming ma- .terial an .elongatedcavity longitudinally of theflasks-and compacting the mold forming material to form a mold forcasting. I preferably dispose the flask inlateral juxtaposition toposititoning means and engage the flask at the side thereof remote fromthe positioning means and press it against the positioning means topredeterminedly align it with the former.

.In a preferred method I dispose the flask with its lower portion inlateral juxtaposition to first positioning means and move secondpositioning means into juxtaposition with the upper portion of the flaskgenerally above the first positioning means and thereafter engage theflask at the side thereof remote from the first and second positioningmeans and press it against the first and second positioning means topredeterminedly align it with the former. I desirably turn the flaskfrom a position in which its longitudinal dimension is generallyhorizontal to a position in which its longitudinal dimensionisygenerally upright or vertical and set the flask down generally abovethe former.

In manipulating the flasks when they are positioned with theirlongitudinal dimensions generally horizontal I preferably roll them (ifthey are of rollable shape) to the molding station where they are turnedto generally upright position as above explained. In moving a flask fromits position with its longitudinal dimension generally horizontal to itsnew position with its longitudinal dimension generally vertical anddisposed above the formerI preferably elevate the flask, then turn it toupright position and then set it down in position above the former, suchmanipulataion of the flask insuring rapid and efficient operation andavoiding possible interference with the flask such as might occur if itshould be attempted to move it into its ultimate position above theformer by turning movement only.

I preferably set the flask down generally above the former and thenengage the top of the flask to clamp it in fixed position for theforming operation. I may set the flask down generally above the formerwith its lower portion in lateral juxtaposition to first positioningmeans,

. and press it against the first and second positioning means topredeterminedly align it with the former and with a portion of the headpreferably engaging the top of the flask to clamp it in fixed position.

.Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the following description of a present preferred method ofpracticing the same pro- .ceeds.

vIn the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a pres entpreferredmethod of practicing the invention and have shown diagrammatically apresent preferred form of apparatus suitable for practice of theinvention in which FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of oneform of apparatus for carrying out my method;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view looking toward the left in FIGURE 1 atthe flask holding cradle and associated mechanism, the other elements ofthe apparatus being omitted for clarity of showing of the flask holdingcradle and associated mechanism;

FIGURE .3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the elements in adifferent operative position; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view taken on the lineIV-IV of FIGURE 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the foundry fioorisdesignated generally by refernce numeral 2 and contains *a pit 3 havinga main portion 3a and a downward extension 3b of smaller size than themain porapart relation with their axes vertical. In FIGURES l and 3 onlyone of the cylinders appears as the other is directly behind the oneshown. A piston 5 operates in each cylinder 4. Each piston 5 isconnected with a former 6 (only one former being shown for the reasonabove explained) which is disposed generally upright or vertically, eachformer having a tapered nose 7 and being hollow to receive and henceremove from a flask a portion of the finely divided mold formingmaterial therein during the mold forming step as will be presentlydescribed. The former shown is like those of FIGURES 3 and 5 of my saidco-pending applications with an open mouth 8 at the upper extremity ofthe tapered nose 7 and lateral openings 9 farther down to allow the moldforming material removed from the flask by the former to be dischargedfrom the former. Such mold forming material may be caught by an inclinedtrough diagrammatically indicated at 10 and delivered to a conveyordiagrammatically indicated at 11. The particular former shown in thedraw ings of the present application may be replaced by any of the otherformers shown in the drawings of my said copending applications as thepresent invention is not concerned with which specific form of former isemployed.

Mounted upon a transverse supporting structure 12 in the pit 3 are twobases 13 through which the respective formers 6 are adapted to move andwhich preferably serve as guides for the formers. The base 13 is shownonly diagrammatically and may be of any of the forms shown in my saidcopending applications. Each base 13 carries at its top at one sidefirst positioning means 14. in the form of a V block whose function isto participate in the accurate positioning or aligning of a flask withthe corresponding former 6.

Mounted upon the foundry floor 2 is a pedestal 15 having an uprightguideway 16 for guiding for vertical move ment a carrier 17 havingwheels or rollers 18 engaging the guideway 16 at opposite sides as shownin FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. A cylinder 19 (omitted from FIGURE 2 for clarityof showing of the elements appearing in that figure) is connected withthe pedestal 15 at 20. A piston 21 operates in the cylinder 19 and has apiston rod 22 which passes out of the top of the cylinder 19 throughsuitable packing and is connected with the carrier 17 at 23. Fluid isadmitted to the cylinder 19 above or below the piston 21 whereby thecarrier 17 may be raised and lowered at will.

The carrier 17 has a horizontally projecting portion 17:: in which isjournaled a shaft 24 which carries a pinion (not shown) with whichmeshes a rack (not shown) disposed in a casing 25 and operated by apiston in a cylinder 26. Hence the rack and pinion operated by fluidunder pressure admitted to the cylinder 26 can turn the shaft 24 aboutits axis.

Fixed to the shaft 24 is a cradle 27 within which are mounted rails 28adapted to support two flasks 29. Each flask is provided externally withflanged steel tires 30 to enable the flask to roll upon the rails 28. Atone step in the cycle the rails 28 will be disposed substantially in ahorizontal plane as shown in FIGURE 1 and at such a level as to receiveflasks from suitable delivery means such as other rails disposedsubstantially end to end with the rails 28. Mounted in the cradle 27 isa shaft 31 carrying a helical impeller 32 which cooperates with theflasks 29 as shown in FIGURE 2. The shaft 31 is driven by any suitablemeans (not shown) such as a motor mounted on the cradle which causes thehelical impeller 32 to turn about the axis of the shaft. When flasks aresupported on the rails 28 of the cradle 27 they intersect the helicalimpeller 32 as shown in FIGURE 2 and turning of the shaft 31 causes thehelical impeller through its engagement with the flasks to advance theflasks along the rails 28 while at the same time maintaining them inpredetermined spaced apart relationship. When the flasks reachpredetermined positions in the cradle 27 the shaft 31 is stopped whichin turn stops the flasks in predetermined spaced relationship and holdsthem in position.

The flasks are initially received by the cradle 27 by being rolledthereonto upon the rails 28, being controlled by the helical impeller 32as above described, and when the flasks have reached predeterminedpositions upon the rails the shaft 31 is stopped, the carrier 17 israised and the shaft 24- carrying the cradle 27 is turned throughapproximately in the clockwise direction from the position shown inFIGURE 1 in which the longitudinal dimensions of the flasks aregenerally horizontal to a position in which the longitudinal dimensionsof the flasks are generally upright or vertical. When the cradle hasreached the second mentioned position it may be lowered to set down theflasks on the bases 13, the predetermined positioning of the flasksbeing such that their respective axes are in the same vertical planeswith the respective axes of the formers 6. The flasks are held againstfalling out of the cradle when the cradle is turned to the secondmentioned position by screws 33 having stop members 34 at their ends. Ifa flask tends to fall out it is engaged by the corresponding stop member34 and maintained in place.

Pivoted at 35 to a supporting structure 36 is a head 37 carrying at itsunder surface second positioning means 38 in the form of two V blockslike the V blocks 14 and arranged so that when the head 37 is inoperative position as shown in FIGURE 3 the respective V blocks 38 willbe directly above the respective V blocks 14 and correspondinglypositioned. The head 37 is turned about the axis of the pivot 35 by apiston in a cylinder 39 pivotally carried by the supporting structure 36at 40. When the head 37 is turned down to operative position as shown inFIGURE 3 the respective sets of V blocks 14 and 38 are verticallyaligned.

Each flask 29 has a steel band 41 applied to it externally adjacent butslightly spaced from each end as shown. The bands 41 are adapted tocooperate with the V blocks 14 and 38 to predeterminedly and accuratelyalign or position the flasks relatively to the formers 6. When theflasks are set down on the bases 13 and the head 36 has been moved tooperative position as shown in FIGURE 3 each flask is pressed toward theright viewing FIGURE 3 by a piston 42 in a cylinder 43 carried by thecradle 27. This properly positions the flasks relatively to the formers.Thereupon pistons 44 operating in cylinders 45 in the head 37 are moveddownwardly to clamp the flasks in place on the bases 13. The pistons 44may carry patterns 46 for forming pipe hubs or spigots as desired.Likewise patterns 46 may be mounted upon the bases 13.

At the beginning of a cycle with the carrier 17 in its lowered positionand the cradle 27 in the position of FIG- URE 1 two empty flasks 29 arerolled into the cradle upon the rails 28, the movement of the flaskswithin the cradle being controlled by the helical impeller 32. As abovestated when the flasks have reached predetermined positions in thecradle, i.e., positions with their respective axes in the same verticalplanes as the respective axes of the formers 6, the shaft 31 carryingthe helical impeller 32 is stopped. The carrier 17 is raised and thecradle 27 is turned 90 clockwise about the axis of the shaft 24 toposition the flasks 29 with their longitudinal dimensions upright and insubstantial vertical alignment with the respective formers 6. Thereuponthe carrier 17 is moved downwardly setting down the flasks 29 upon thebases 13-.

When the flasks have been thus set down the piston in the cylinder 39 isoperated to turn the head 37 in the counterclockwise direction about theaxis of the pivot 35 viewing FIGURES 1 and 3 until the head 37 is in theposition of FIGURE 3. With the head in that position the respective Vblocks 38 are directly above the respective V blocks '14. At that timethe pistons 42 are moved toward the right viewing FIGURE 3 to press theflasks 29 against the V blocks 14 and 38. The bands 41 of the flasks 29cooperate with the V blocks to accurately position the flasks relativelyto the formers 6. The bands 41 may be machined for accuracy. They are,as shown, slightly removed from the ends of the flasks so that any v and38 cooperating with the bands 41.

When the flasks have been thus positioned the pistons 44 are moveddownwardly to clamp the flasks tightly in position upon the bases 13 andto project the patterns 46 into the upper ends of the flasks. Thepistons 44 are formed with openings 47 therethrough from top to bottomand when the flasks have :been positioned and clamped in place measuredquantities of finely divided mold forming material such as speciallyprepared foundry sand are introduced into the respective flasks throughthe openings 47 in the respective pistons 44.

Alternatively, the measured quantities of finely divided mold formingmaterial may be introduced into the flasks 29 when the pistons 44 are intheir uppermost positions and indeed preferably when the head 37 is inthe position of FIGURE 1 so that direct access may be had to the flasksto introduce the mold forming material directly into the upper ends ofthe flasks instead of through the openings 47.

Thereupon fluid under pressure is admitted beneath the pistons 5 in thecylinders 4 raising the formers 6 so that they are forced through themold forming material in the flasks, thereby forming in the mold formingmaterial elongated cavities longitudinally of the flasks and compactingthe mold forming material to form molds for casting. The transversedimension of the openings 47 in the pistons 44 is such that when thecylindrical portions of the formers 6 enter such openings the formersare guided thereby as well as by the bases 13. When the cylindricalportions of the formers have entered the openings 47 the mold formingmaterial is completely enclosed within the flasks and thereuponauxiliary compacting means as disclosed in my said copendingapplications may if desired be employed to additionally compact the moldforming material in the flasks.

After the molds have thus been formed in the flasks 29 the formers 6 andthe auxiliary compacting means if used, are retracted downwardly, thepistons 44 are retracted upwardly, the head 37 is moved to itsinoperative position as shown in FIGURE '1, the carrier 17 is raised,the cradle 27 is turned back to the position of FIGURE 1, the carrier.17 is lowered and the flasks 2.9 with the formed molds therein arerolled out of the cradle by operation of the shaft 31 carrying thehelical impeller 32, leaving the cradle empty for the reception of twoempty flasks to have molds formed therein in the succeeding cycle ofoperation.

Features of the apparatus herein disclosed are claimed in my copendingapplication Serial No. 118,000, filed of even date herewith.

While I have illustrated and described a present preferred method ofpracticing the invention and have 6 shown one form of apparatus suitablefor practice of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that theinvention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variouslypnacticed within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A flask manipulating and mold forming method comprising turning anelongated flask from a position in which its longitudinal dimension isgenerally horizontal to a position in which its longitudinal dimensionis generally upright and setting the flask down above an upwardlymovable former whose external transverse dimension is equal to theinternal transverse dimension of the mold being formed, introducingfinely divided mold forming material into the flask through the upperend thereof when the flask is disposed with its longitudinal dimensiongenenally upright and moving the former rectilinearly upwardly onlythrough the mold forming material in the flask while maintaining theflask and former against relative rotation and by such single upwardrectilinear movement of the former forming in the mold forming materialan elongated cavity longitudinally of the flask and compacting the moldforming material to form a mold for casting.

2. A flask manipulating and mold forming method comprising moving anelongated flask with its longitudinal dimension generally horizontal toa molding station and at the molding station turning the flask to aposition in which its longitudinal dimension is generally upright,setting the flask down above an upwardly movable former and with thelower portion of the flask in lateral juxtaposition to first positioningmeans, moving a head including second positioning means intojuxtaposition with the upper portion of the flask with the secondpositioning means disposed generally above the first positioning means,engaging the flask at the side thereof remote from the first and secondpositioning means and pressing it against the first and secondpositioning means to predeterminedly align it with the former, with aportion of the head engaging the top of the flask to clamp it in fixedposition, introducing finely divided mold forming material into theflask through the upper end thereof when the flask is disposed with itslongitudinal dimension genenally upright and moving the former upwardlythrough the mold forming material in the flask and thereby forming inthe mold forming material an elongated cavity longitudinally of theflask and compacting the mold forming material to form a mold forcasting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS181,368 Smith Aug. 22, 1876 586,751 Adams July 20, 1897 878,064 HerbertFeb. 4, 1908 2,875,482 Hamilton et al. Mar. 3, 1959 2,879,563 Ewing Mar.31, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 606,534 Great Britain Aug. 16, 1948

1. A FLASK MANIPULATING AND MOLD FORMING METHOD COMPRISING TURNING ANELONGATED FLASK FROM A POSITION IN WHICH ITS LONGITUDINAL DIMENSION ISGENERALLY HORIZONTAL TO A POSITION IN WHICH ITS LONGITUDINAL DIMENSIONIS GENERALLY UPRIGHT AND SETTING THE FLASK DOWN ABOVE AN UPWARDLYMOVABLE FORMER WHOSE EXTERNAL TRANSVERSE DIMENSION IS EQUAL TO THEINTERNAL TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF THE MOLD BEING FORMED, INTRODUCINGFINELY DIVIDED MOLD FORMING MATERIAL INTO THE FLASK THROUGH THE UPPEREND THEREOF WHEN THE FLASK IS DISPOSED WITH ITS LONGITUDINAL DIMENSIONGENERALLY UPRIGHT AND MOVING THE FORMER RECTILINEARLY UPWARDLY ONLYTHROUGH THE MOLD FORMING MATERIAL IN THE